I started begging for a guitar in 3rd grade. I'm 33 now. So thinking back that far is tough. Probably the intro riff to Metallica's Seek and Destroy though. It was one of the first riffs I was dying to learn how to play.

WHAT IS THE FIRST RIFF YOU LEARNED TO PLAY?

Smoke on the Water. People can make fun of that riff all they'd like but I challenge them to write a better song.

YOUR TOP THREE METAL RIFFERS ARE?

Dave Mustaine, Eric Peterson / Alex Skolnick, James Hetfield

WHO IS THE MASTER OF THE RIFF?

I go back and forth on this one. Tony Iommi and Richie Blackmore definitely set the bar, but it's real hard to deny the man who wrote Holy Wars, Hanger 18, and still puts out crushing riffs to this day. I'm giving it to Dave Mustaine.

THE RIFF WHICH IS THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE IS?

The intro to Black Sabbath's War Pigs. Sometimes it feels like it's dragging on, it's kind of ugly, it's pretty cool, and I'm always waiting for it to pick up, just like my life.

THE RIFF YOU WISH YOU WROTE IS?

The Toxic Waltz by Exodus. The second that intro riff hits you know all hell is about to break loose.

THE WORST METAL RIFF EVER IS?

Anything played in an inaudible tuning on an 8 string guitar. What's the point in writing a riff if no one can hear what you're playing?

RIFF FOR RIFF YOUR FIVE FAVOURITE ALBUMS ARE?

Megadeth - Rust in Peace

Rainbow - Rising

Metallica - Ride the Lightning

Testament - The Legacy

Metal Church - The Dark

A NON METALHEAD ASKS YOU WHAT DOES METAL SOUND LIKE, THE RIFF YOU PLAY THEM IS?

Slayer - Angel of Death

THE RIFF YOU WANT PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL IS?

Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name. But really, I'll be dead so play whatever you want. Put on St. Anger for all I care. I won't hear it.

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT RIFFS ANYWAY?

Without the riff you don't have a song. You can learn all of the fancy guitar tricks in the world, find the best drummer, write the coolest lyrics, but everything revolves around the riff. When I'm watching an up and coming metal band perform for the first time I want a screaming tube amp to rip my face off and a riff to send me running for the merch table. Everyone remembers a killer riff.

I started begging for a guitar in 3rd grade. I'm 33 now. So thinking back that far is tough. Probably the intro riff to Metallica's Seek and Destroy though. It was one of the first riffs I was dying to learn how to play.

WHAT IS THE FIRST RIFF YOU LEARNED TO PLAY?

Smoke on the Water. People can make fun of that riff all they'd like but I challenge them to write a better song.

YOUR TOP THREE METAL RIFFERS ARE?

Dave Mustaine, Eric Peterson / Alex Skolnick, James Hetfield

WHO IS THE MASTER OF THE RIFF?

I go back and forth on this one. Tony Iommi and Richie Blackmore definitely set the bar, but it's real hard to deny the man who wrote Holy Wars, Hanger 18, and still puts out crushing riffs to this day. I'm giving it to Dave Mustaine.

THE RIFF WHICH IS THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE IS?

The intro to Black Sabbath's War Pigs. Sometimes it feels like it's dragging on, it's kind of ugly, it's pretty cool, and I'm always waiting for it to pick up, just like my life.

THE RIFF YOU WISH YOU WROTE IS?

The Toxic Waltz by Exodus. The second that intro riff hits you know all hell is about to break loose.

THE WORST METAL RIFF EVER IS?

Anything played in an inaudible tuning on an 8 string guitar. What's the point in writing a riff if no one can hear what you're playing?

RIFF FOR RIFF YOUR FIVE FAVOURITE ALBUMS ARE?

Megadeth - Rust in Peace

Rainbow - Rising

Metallica - Ride the Lightning

Testament - The Legacy

Metal Church - The Dark

A NON METALHEAD ASKS YOU WHAT DOES METAL SOUND LIKE, THE RIFF YOU PLAY THEM IS?

Slayer - Angel of Death

THE RIFF YOU WANT PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL IS?

Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name. But really, I'll be dead so play whatever you want. Put on St. Anger for all I care. I won't hear it.

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT RIFFS ANYWAY?

Without the riff you don't have a song. You can learn all of the fancy guitar tricks in the world, find the best drummer, write the coolest lyrics, but everything revolves around the riff. When I'm watching an up and coming metal band perform for the first time I want a screaming tube amp to rip my face off and a riff to send me running for the merch table. Everyone remembers a killer riff.

Formed in 1974, PRAYING MANTIS were an
important part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement, along with
bands such as IRON MAIDEN (whose some ex-members used to be PRAYING MANTIS members
as well), DIAMOND HEAD or SAXON. The band disbanded in the middle of the '80s, and
returned in the early '90s with more hard rock and melodic Metal oriented
releases. Their last two studio albums, "Sanctuary" from 2009 and the
newest one, "Legacy" from 2015, which were originally released by Frontiers
Records on CD, will be reissued as limited edition vinyl albums through No
Remorse Records, and will be available on June 20, 2016. Both albums will be
available as double LPs (with fourth side being etched), packed in deluxe
gatefold sleeves, and bothe will be limited to 300 copies only.

Anyone who has seen Psykosis live can attest to this; these guys are the
epitome of what party thrash is all about. High energy live
performances, fast paced action on stage and riffs to boot with
memorable hooks and crowd sing-a-longs, not to forget the all important
lashings of tongue-in-cheek, and often childish, humour.

The thrash outfit hail from Dublin, Ireland and started in 2008 after a
booze fuelled binge and desire to inject some good fun into the rich but
sombre Irish metal scene. The band began honing their sound on the
stages of Dublin and progressed to headliner gigs and support slots with
internationally recognised acts such as D.R.I., Sacred Reich, Evile,
Blaze Bayley and Gama Bomb. The band got their first break in mainland
UK when they were invited to Bloodstock Open Air in the summer of 2014.
Their performance has gone down in the history books of the festival as
during their set Psykosis and their crew threw out hundred's of bottles
of home brew just prior to performing the song 'Beach Party', a song
which the band were more than happy to share their inflatable beach toys
with the appreciative crowd for. From that moment the band have been
inviting folk all across the UK to their fun filled shows as well as
having set sail and ventured to far flung places (from little old
Ireland at least) such as Metal Days in Slovenia and more.

They say time flies when you're having fun, and that is indeed the case
with Psykosis because after eight years in existence the band have only
recently hit the studio with producer Steven Rats Rahaman and recorded
their debut album, a collection of songs which have already gotten a
good thrashing on the live circuit and has garnered an enthusiastic
audience seal of approval.

Entitled Welcome To The Psyko Ward,
this album "is loud and in your face!" as put by vocalist/guitarist
Grant Walsh. "We tried keep the energy up as to what we would be like on
stage, so it's like having us play live in your house or car or
wherever! After a prolonged wait for this album coming out that day is
almost among us and we cannot wait to share it with everyone."

Artwork as seen above was done by Andrej Maggotmeister Bartulovic and track listing can be seen below.

Lady Beast is a Heavy Metal band from
Pittsburgh PA. Now in its 7th year, the band has played hundreds of shows,
played festivals, done tours, and sold thousands of albums. Upon hearing a
recording of the band, it’s easy for the listener to pick out the
band’s musical influences such as NWOBHM, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motörhead,
Dio, etc., but that isn’t the only influence, as the band draws
heavily on the DIY ethos of the punk scene, and Lady Beast has always done
everything on its own: booking tours, doing band photos, printing
t-shirts, setting up shows at home, writing songs, putting out albums (released
on bassist Greg Colaizzi’s label, Cobra Cabana Records), and driving the
van. Anyone that has seen the band live can attest to the band’s
energy, and singer Deborah Levine’s vocal ability, charisma, and love for
what she is doing.

Lady Beast is getting ready to release a
new EP titled "Metal Immortal" with 4 new Metal songs in the style
that the band is known for. The EP, which will be available as a vinyl and
download release, is also a debut for the band’s new lead guitarist, Andy
Ramage. Andy is a familiar face, as he is the older brother of drummer
Adam Ramage, and the two also played together in Oh Shit They’re Going To
Kill Us. Andy’s style fits perfectly with the songs that rhythm
guitarist Christopher "Twiz" Tritschler has been writing for the
band. In addition to the EP, Twiz and Andy are writing songs for a full
length, hopefully to be recorded next year. October is looking to be a
busy month for Lady Beast. The band plans on releasing the EP and doing a
tour with Seax.

Iraconji - named after the Irukandji jellyfish, the smallest and most
venomous box jellyfish in the world. Since inception Iraconji has felt a
kinship with this creature. At the time, in an ocean of "core" and
"scene" metal Iraconji felt like a small but deadly force mixing the
brutality of death metal and the aggression of thrash metal.

Formed in August 2009 in Nashville TN by Matt Chadwell (guitar), Nathan
Yarroll (bass), Tony Townsend (drums) and Jake Trotter (vocals). After
just 13 shows with the original lineup Iraconji parted ways with their
vocalist Jake. After months of auditions Iraconji found a replacement
vocalist but the band dissolved in the studio in January 2011.

Reformed in March 2012. The original members and new vocalist Hardy
Hardison started rehearsing for shows, and by June 2012 were
playing live. In August 2012 Iraconji entered Twin Oaks Studio owned and
operated by Jason Dietz in Murfreesboro TN to record the 3 song demo
"Just A Taste". Iraconji would spend the next couple of years playing
live, writing and honing their particular style of Death/Thrash.

August 2015- Iraconji part ways with original drummer Tony Townsend. He
would be replaced by Kyle Caldwell along with the addition of 2nd
guitarist Drew Jones.

February 2016- with the new lineup Iraconji enter Studio D with Dave
Summers in Tullahoma TN to record their debut album "Global Genocide".

Born of fire and chaos, a ruthless horde from Poland was founded in
2012, when four maniacs fueled by unholy spirits of such cult acts as
Morbid Angel, Bathory, Dissection and Destroyer 666 decided to forge
their own version of death metal with influences of black metal scene.
Since releasing „Legacy of Astaroth” demo and well-recieved EP „The
Abyss” the band played numerous concerts, and tours with Infernal War,
Outre, Christ Agony, Nomad, Inferno or Arkona. Poland always was the
motherland of extreme metal, and this time her next child MORTHUS is
ready to spread chaos and blasphemy worldwide.
The next level of their four-year activity is „Over The Dying Stars”
album will be released via Witching Hour Productions as a 12” limited
vinyl, digi pack, limited cassette, digital and t-shirt bundle.